St. Charles, Mo. - On Friday, July 1, 2022, Lindenwood University officially joined three conferences at the NCAA Division I level.  Lindenwood announced its transition to NCAA Division I on February 23, 2022, as the Lions are now members of the Ohio Valley Conference.  One month later, Lindenwood elevated its men's ice hockey to an NCAA sport, beginning this fall.  Throughout the spring, Lindenwood found conference homes for five sports, as the Lions are now affiliate members of the ASUN and the Summit League.  In early June, Lindenwood welcomed Jason Coomer as the next Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics.

Lindenwood Announces Transition to NCAA Division I and Ohio Valley Conference
Official Release
Lindenwood, which sponsors 18 of the OVC's championship sports, became official members on July 1, 2022.  Lindenwood marks only the 24th full-time member in the 75-year history of the Ohio Valley Conference.
 
The Ohio Valley Conference is adding Lindenwood as the 10th full-time member for the 2022-23 school year.  Lindenwood will join University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Eastern Illinois University, Morehead State University, Southeast Missouri State University, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, University of Southern Indiana, Tennessee State University, Tennessee Technological University and the University of Tennessee at Martin as OVC full member institutions.
 
"We are delighted to add Lindenwood University as the 10th member of the OVC for the 2022-23 academic year," said OVC Commissioner Beth DeBauche. "President Porter's vision for the future of the institution, along with Lindenwood's commitment to success, its geographic alignment with the OVC and its sports offerings, including football, and our shared philosophy and values make them a great fit for the Conference. We are excited to welcome Lindenwood to our OVC community."
 
Lindenwood is set to begin its reclassification process to the NCAA Division I level during the 2022-23 academic year.  The Lions will be included in OVC regular season schedules and be eligible to compete in OVC Championships. Eligibility for Lindenwood to earn automatic bids to NCAA Championships begins in 2026-27, its first full season of full Division I membership.
 
Jason Coomer Named Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics
Official Release
Coomer comes to Lindenwood after spending 14 years at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, including the last six years as the Deputy Athletic Director.  Prior to his most recent role, Coomer served as Senior Associate Athletic Director from 2012-16.  In addition to his administrative duties, Coomer was the head coach of the tennis program from 2010-16.  Coomer worked as the Associate Athletic Director for External Affairs in 2012, after spending four years as the Assistant Athletic Director for Sales and Marking from 2008-12.
 
"We will set the bar high keeping in mind the responsibility we have in representing those who came before us that helped provide the opportunity we have today," said Coomer.  "Without the achievements of our former student-athletes, we would not be in position to make the leap to NCAA Division I.  In addition, we will exhaust every option to put our student-athletes in the best possible position to find success both academically and athletically.  The experiences of our student-athletes, coaches and staff will be critical as we take Lindenwood Athletics to new levels.  Representing the St. Charles community in a first-class manner will be at the forefront of everything we do.  St. Charles is now home to an NCAA Division I athletics department and we can't wait to go on this journey with the community."
 
Lindenwood Adds NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey
Official Release
The addition of men's ice hockey will bring Lindenwood's total number of NCAA sports sponsored to 30 and Lindenwood will become the 63rd NCAA Division I men's hockey program in the nation.  Prior to the announcement, Lindenwood was one of only two schools in the nation that had women's ice hockey playing at the highest collegiate level, but not a men's program.
 
The possibility of adding NCAA men's hockey began back in 2018, when Lindenwood was contacted by a group led by the St. Louis Blues and representatives from the NHL and College Hockey Inc. That group helped to fund a feasibility study which indicated there was enough support for NCAA college hockey in the region and that Lindenwood was an ideal fit.
 
All Lindenwood home games will continue to be played at the Centene Community Ice Center (CCIC) in Maryland Heights, which is located seven miles from Lindenwood's campus. The 2,500 seat four-sheet ice facility is also the practice facility for the St. Louis Blues. It was announced in October of 2020 that Lindenwood will partner with the St. Louis Sports Commission to host a NCAA Division I Men's Hockey Regional at the CCIC in 2024 and the NCAA Division I Frozen Four at the Enterprise Center in 2025.
 
Men's and Women's Lacrosse to Become Members of the ASUN
Official Release Men's Release  |  Official Women's Release
The Lindenwood men's lacrosse program has put together a record of 70-36 heading into its ninth season in the NCAA this year.  The Lions made an appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2015, after posting a program-high 14 wins since joining the NCAA.  In eight full seasons, 25 all-conference members have worn the Lindenwood uniform, including four All-Americans.
 
The Lindenwood women's lacrosse program won the first NCAA Division II National Championship in school history to conclude the 2021 season.  The Lions have posted an overall record of 118-13 in the last seven complete seasons, as they have made seven-consecutive NCAA postseason appearances.  Lindenwood has claimed four NCAA Elite 90 Award winners to highlight the academic and athletic success.  Since 2018, 10 Lions have earned IWLCA All-American honors.
 
Summit League Adds Lindenwood Programs
Official Release
The Lindenwood men's soccer program has posted a record of 56-36-13 since joining an NCAA conference in 2012.  The Lions won the 2013 NCAA Division II Central Regional Championship, as they claimed their second-consecutive MIAA Regular Season and Tournament Championships in that same year.  In total, Lindenwood has won three regular-season conference titles with a pair of conference tournament titles since moving to an NCAA Division II conference.
 
The Lindenwood swimming and diving program has produced exceptional success since becoming a full-time member of the NCAA during the 2013-14 school year.  The women's squad has claimed four conference titles, including three-straight from 2016-19.  In 2020-21, the women's team secured its best finish at the NCAA Championships by taking fourth place.  The men's program collected three conference championships, and earned a second-place finish at the 2015-16 National Championships.